Tag: Lagos APC

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, on Tuesday night, denied any directive from the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun stopping state party chairmen from inaugurating their executive members.

Balogun told newsmen in Ikeja that news reports that Oyegun gave the directive at the inauguration of 33 state party chairmen in Abuja on Monday were misleading.

He said Oyegun never questioned his position as the Chairman of the party in the state and that of chairmen of Rivers and Oyo, adding that the report was a distortion of fact.

“It is not true that Chief Oyegun asked us in Lagos not to swear in our executives. There was nothing like that.

“And it was not true that he also directed the chairmen of Oyo and Rivers not to do so. He never said that at the inauguration.

“The misleading reports in some newspapers and social media did not just reflect what happened at our inauguration yesterday.

The Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said there is no division in the last Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress.

Gbajabiamila said this on Saturday during the launch of the ‘Gbaja Ride’, an empowerment programme held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

He said the birthday party organised by one of the chieftains of the party was just a celebration and not a congress.

“I want to commend the APC members for their peaceful conduct in the last party congress.

“As a leader of the party, there was no parallel congress in Lagos State. I was informed that someone had a birthday party at the Airport Hotel; I am not aware that there was a congress there.

“The legitimate congress of the party was held at the party’s headquarters and was witnessed by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission according to the law and the executives have been sworn in and the party has swung into action.”

He said that he launched the programme to promote economic empowerment and make life easier for the residents of Surulere by easing transportation.

Gbajabiamila, however, pleaded with those yet to benefit from the empowerment programme to be patient as he would soon organise another programme that they could benefit from.

He further urged his constituents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards as that would enable them to participate in the coming elections.

He said, “I enjoined all constituents to participate in government at all levels. Such participation allows us to determine those we elect into offices.”

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The National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress has advised the Lagos State chapter of the party to wait for another National Executive Committee meeting or the National Convention to make its case over NEC’s decision to extend the tenure of elected and appointed party officials.

National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said this in a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH, in Abuja, on Friday.

Abdullahi, who is also a member of the party’s National Working Committee, was reacting to questions on the decision of the Lagos State APC to reject the tenure extension granted to the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee of the APC and all elected and appointed party officials at all levels by the party’s NEC.

Abdullahi said, “Well, that’s democracy. A decision has been taken by the second highest decision making body of the party, which is the NEC.

“If one out of the several chapters of the party disagrees, it does not invalidate the decision.

“The chapter concerned can wait for another NEC meeting or the National Convention to make its case; this is the beauty of party democracy. We have internal mechanisms for resolving whatever issues that arise and we advise that these mechanisms be explored.”

Ogun, Ondo APC disagree with Lagos over tenure extension

Meanwhile, the APC chapters in Ogun and Ondo states have declared support for the tenure elongation for Odigie-Oyegun and other party officials, as approved by its NEC.

By their actions, both state chapters have disagreed with the Lagos chapter of the party, which had earlier opposed the elongation of the tenure of the party’s national and state executives, saying it was against the party’s constitution.

The Ondo State Chairman of the APC and the Ogun State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Ade Adetimehin and Mr. Sola Lawal, respectively, said they aligned themselves with the decision of the National Executive Committee of the party.

Adetimehin said, “Our constitution allows tenure elongation and at the NEC meeting, it was put to vote and the majority had their way and that is the beauty of democracy. But before the NEC meeting, all the 37 chairmen met and it was a unanimous decision. The Lagos State Chairman (of the party), Chief Henry Ajomale, presided over the meeting.

“The issue is not about Odigie-Oyegun, the decision affects all the elective officers of the party, from the ward to the national level. The tenure of all the officers has been elongated for just 12 months for the party to concentrate on the elections before us. We have elections in Osun and Ekiti states as well as the general elections next year, but after the elections in 2019, we can now meet again on the issue.”

Similarly, Lawal said, “We in the Ogun State APC will align with the position of the party on the tenure elongation of the current national and state executives of the party for one year. We do not hold any contrary position because the party’s decision is supreme.”

The NEC of the APC had on February 27 approved the extension of the tenure of all its elected and appointed party officials by one year, taking effect from June 30.

But rising from a Consultative Forum held at the State House Marina, Lagos and attended by party elders from across the state on Tuesday, the leaders said the extension of the tenure of Odigie-Oyegun and his executives was against the spirit of Nigeria and the APC’s constitutions.

When Saturday PUNCH contacted Oyo State chapter of the party for comments, its Public Relations Officer, Olawale Sadare, described the issue as “delicate”, adding that it “is best addressed by the appropriate officers and leaders of the party and that the Oyo State chapter of the party will not be making any statement for now.”

The Spokesperson for the party in the Osun State, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said the chapter would disclose its position after the meeting of its leaders.

Similarly, the Ekiti State’s APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said, “I don’t have the mandate to comment on the issue for now. So, I can’t speak on it.”

Lagos APC chieftain challenges Oyegun’s tenure extension in court

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the APC in Lagos State, Dr. Wale Ahmed, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the decision of the party’s NEC to extend Odigie-Oyegun’s tenure.

The plaintiff, Ahmed, who is a former Commissioner for Special Duties in the state, in his originating summons in a suit numbered: FHC/L/CS/364/18, which was made available to one of our correspondents on Friday, said the decision to extend the tenure ran contrary to section 223 (1a and 2a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He is praying the court to declare as null and void and of no effect the elongation of the tenure of the NEC, contrary to the extant laws.

Joined in the suit are the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni; Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu; National Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Gubi; National Vice Chairman (South-West), Chief Pius Akinyelure; the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdulhakeem Abdullateef

Sesan Olufowobi

The All Progressives Congress-led Lagos State Government has said it is committed to promises made to Lagosians, adding that it will shun distraction from any quarter.

The government added that the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration would not join issues with the Peoples Democratic Party on who would win the 2019 governorship election.

The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdulakeem Abdullateef, said this on Saturday at the third Iju-Ishaga Health Day, adding that the statement by the PDP that it would win the 2019 governorship election was nothing but an infantile statement.

He said, “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will not be distracted by political Lilliputians whose current retrogression has compelled them to operate as dysfunctional silos.

“Ambode is committed to the completion of all ongoing projects in the state. Where does he have the time to respond when he has committed himself to the completion of the Agege Pen Cinema Flyover in November? He has said the Oshodi world-class transport interchange will soon be completed.

“Where does he have the time to respond to a worthless statement when he has committed himself to the completion of the Oshodi International Airport Road in 15 months? The governor is busy looking for how to build four stadia in the four regions of the state.”

The commissioner hinted that the stadia will be in Igbogbo, Epe, Ajegunle and Badagry.

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The apex body of the All Progressives Congress in the Lagos East Senatorial District has urged party members in the district to be united.

The members in a meeting held in Ikorodu under the leadership of Otunba Bushura Alebiosu were also urged to ensure the progress of the residents and the party.

The body in a statement on Sunday by its Secretary, Joko Pelumi, stated that the group met to discuss issues pertaining to “the unity of the senatorial district in particular, and the progress of the APC in general.”

“The leadership of the apex group acknowledges the exemplary performance of Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and his unparalleled drive towards urban and rural regeneration of all parts of our dear state through the numerous developmental projects he is undertaking,” the statement added.

At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that the General Assembly of the Senatorial District would hold in the coming weeks to bring all the party members together with a view to forging ahead in unity.

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The Ward ‘C’ chapter of the All Progressives Congress in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State has suspended the National Legal Adviser of the party, Muiz Banire, for 10 years for alleged anti-party activities and misappropriating campaign materials and logistics.

The ward on Wednesday said its disciplinary committee recommended the suspension, which it merely upheld.

The chapter had set up the committee, headed by one Bolaji Abass, to investigate the allegations, which were contained in a petition written against Banire by two members of the APC in the ward, Olukayode Tolu and Ayodeji Adebayo.

Other members of the committee included Laide Badru, Wunmi Bewaji and Muinat Mustapha.

The committee had it sitting on August 14, 2017, at Bishop Aggey Memorial School, Ilasamaja, but Banire allegedly shunned its invitation.

The petitioners had alleged that Banire had been absent from ward meetings for more than two years and was engaging in media campaign against the party.

The Acting Chairman, Ward C, APC, Omobolaji Amusan, said on Wednesday that the report would be forwarded to the Mushin Local Government Area chapter of the party for necessary action.

However, Banire described those that announced his suspension as impostors, adding that they were not known in the Mushin LGA chapter of the party.

“I will not shy away from ensuring that the APC follow due process in its conduct at all times,” Banire said in a statement.

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The Mushin (Ilasamaja Ward C) Disciplinary Committee of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State that heard a petition accusing a party chieftain, Dr. Muiz Banire, of anti-party activities, on Wednesday submitted its report, recommending his suspension.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the committee, on August 14, had conducted a hearing on the petition written against Banire by two party members of his ward, Mr. Olukayode Tolu and Mr. Ayodele Adebayo on behalf of all members of the ward.

Banire, who was invited to the hearing, did not show up, but the committee had gone ahead with the exercise.

The petitioners had alleged at the hearing that the party chieftain engaged in acts that could undermine the integrity of the party.

They alleged that Banire dragged the party to court shortly before the July 22 council elections over alleged imposition of the party’s candidate in Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area.

According to them, the action was intended to discredit the party before the election and jeopardise its chances.

They also alleged, among other things, that the party chieftain had not attended the party’s ward meeting for the past two years and had not fulfilled his financial obligation to the party.

The petitioners had prayed the committee to suspend him from the party for 10 years and not to allow him to take any position in the party again.

A former member of the House of Representatives and counsel for the committee, Dr. Wunmi Bewaji, had said the committee would examine all the allegations and come up with its report shortly after then.

Presenting the report to the party’s ward executive on Wednesday, the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Bolaji Abbas, said the panel had found Banire culpable of allegations against him after careful and thorough examination.

He said the committee had recommended in the report that Banire, who is the party’s National Legal Adviser, be suspended from the party for between five and 10 years.

“We have done our work, having examined the allegations levelled against him by party members at the ward.

“In our report, we recommend that he should be suspended from the party between five and 10 years.

“We are forwarding the report to the appropriate quarters for the necessary actions,” he said.

Receiving the report, the Ward Chairman of the party, Mr. Bolaji Amusan, said the ward executive would forward the report to the party’s local government executive for necessary action.

Hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress in the Mushin Local Government Area and Odi Olowo Local Council Development Area of Lagos, on Tuesday, protested at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja, to demand the expulsion of the APC National Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire, from the party.

But the national headquarters of the APC, on Tuesday, said security agencies should investigate the alleged threat to the life of Banire and take an appropriate action.

Banire, a former Commissioner for Transport in Lagos State, had alleged, on Monday, that he received several threats to his life via text messages by those he described as agents of anti-democratic forces in the state.

The protesters came in 26 BRT buses and displayed anti-Banire placards and banners.

It was gathered that they had earlier assembled at the APC state secretariat on Acme Road in Ogba, from where they moved to the Assembly complex.

Some of the placards read ‘Banire must go’, ‘Banire, the enemy within’ and ‘Banire, the greatest beneficiary of imposition’, among others.

The protesters defied a shower of rain in Alausa, the seat of government, vowing that they would not rest until Banire was expelled.

The spokesperson for the protesters, Femi Martins, in a letter delivered to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and copied the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and the Lagos APC Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale, listed 17 offences allegedly committed by Banire.

Martins alleged that Banire sponsored his cronies to publish advertorials against the APC and granted interviews to ridicule the party as well as being negligent in the discharge of his duties as the national legal adviser.

Martins stated, “Banire falsely accused the party of imposition in public despite knowing that there are provisions in the constitution of the party for alternative means of conducting primaries other than direct primaries. He disobeyed and caused others to disobey lawful directives of the party.”

The spokesman also accused Banire of carrying out anti-party activities by encouraging members of his group to pick tickets of other parties for the local government election.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communications, Kehinde Bamigbetan, received the protest letter on behalf of Ambode.

Bamigbetan said Banire had embarrassed the party, describing him as a career opportunist.

“As the National Legal Adviser of our party, he should not have gone out of the party structure to undermine the APC, especially at a time the election is around the corner.

“When he was given the ticket, he was loyal to the party and when not given, he worked against the party,” he said.

Bamigbetan added that the state government would call on the party leaders to take disciplinary action against Banire, adding that he should be shown the way out of the party.

However, a statement by Banire, on Tuesday, described the protest as a “rent-a-crowd rally being organised by one Mr. Seye Oladejo, a former Chairman of the Mushin Local Government Area and the Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on the Environment with the assistance of some elements to destroy the democratic aspirations of the people.”

Banire, said he was not bothered by the protest, adding that no amount of campaign of calumny or threat would deter him from maintaining his position on the need to allow internal democracy in the APC.

He stated, “As the National Legal Adviser of the APC, I am the custodian of the constitution of our great party and the counsellor of the party on legal matters.

“It will be most destructive to find me lending my weight in favour of imposition of candidates on the members of the party in order to promote a culture of personality cult advancement being nursed and nurtured by the likes of the organisers of this conscienceless protest.”

APC asks police, others to probe alleged death threat

But the APC said security agencies should probe the alleged threat to Banire’s life with a viewing to taking appropriate action.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said this in a telephone interview with The PUNCH in Abuja, on Tuesday.

According to him, the matter at hand is no longer politics but an issue for the security agencies who have the statutory function to deal with such cases.

Abdullahi stated, “When someone makes an allegation like that, it is no longer politics.

“If, as in this case, someone, who is a very senior lawyer, raises the alarm that his life is in danger, then it’s not a matter for the party, it is a matter for the security agencies to investigate and take appropriate action.”

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